Front Cover

Synopsis

In 2000, Joel Smith is a cocky, adventurous young man who sees the world as his playground. But when the college senior, days from graduation, enters an abandoned Montana mine, he discovers the price of reckless curiosity. He emerges in May 1941 with a cell phone he can't use, money he can't spend, and little but his wits to guide his way. Stuck in the age of Whirlaway, swing dancing, and a peacetime draft, Joel begins a new life as the nation drifts toward war. With the help of his 21-year-old trailblazing grandmother and her friends, he finds his place in a world he knew only from movies and books. But when an opportunity comes to return to the present, Joel must decide whether to leave his new love in the past or choose a course that will alter their lives forever. THE MINE follows a humbled man through a critical time in history as he adjusts to new surroundings and wrestles with the knowledge of things to come.

My Opinion

I was asked by the author to consider his book for review and after reading the blurb, I jumped at the chance.

The book is based upon Joel Smith, a cocky, brash young man who is transported back to 1941, the year in which America joins the war.

Once Joel arrives in 1941 does the book start. On his adventures he makes friends and he also meets his grandma, which was a nice touch. Of course it wouldn’t be a romance book without the love interest, Grace.

I really enjoyed the book and how the characters interacted with each other. The central love story was well written, however, I did think that they fell in love with each other a bit too quickly. There wasn’t as much development between Joel and Grace as I would have liked before they started declaring themselves madly in love with each other.

The pace of the story flowed nicely. I started reading the book in the early afternoon and by the time I looked up it was nearing midnight and having to work the following morning, I grudgingly had to put it away. Suffice to say I finished the book within two days.

A few more scattered thoughts on the book

*I liked how the author transported Joel back in time, it wasn’t just **puff** and you’re gone. There was a somewhat logical explanation to it.

*I thought the author was clever in choosing what time of year he brought Joel back. With the events of Pearl Harbour around the corner, it was interesting to see how Joel dealt with that issue.
‘Should he warn his friends or not?’ That was a question that I was fascinated by.

Conclusion

Fans of ‘ The Time Traveler's Wife’ and ‘Back To The Future’ will enjoy this book and there was even a reference to Marty McFly in the book!

I can unequivocally say that I'll be reading this book again in the future and for me that's a great indicator at how thoroughly entertained I was by the book.

My rating out of 10 stars:

8 stars - A fantastic book in which the somewhat bland looking cover does not do it enough justice.